Structural material



June y6, 1939. F. F. MILLS 2,161,185

STRUCTURAL MATERIAL' Filed April 3, 1937 ATTORNEY.

Patented June 6, 1939 UNITED STATES BATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

My invention relates to building materials and particularly to constructions for forming walls, ceilings, floors, partitions, and' other parts of buildings andthe like. While my invention is of 5 general application and may be used in the construction and renovation of buildings of any type, it is particularly adapted for use in the construction of prefabricated houses and other structures wherein studding, joists, etc., are formed of steel or metal members. Therefore my invention will be hereinafter described as applied to such structures with the intention that it should notr be understood as limited to this application.

' In the construction of buildings heretofore, the application of wall-board, sheathing and similar material has been effected by driving nails or clips into the studs, joists, and other supporting framework of the building. However, this is not possible when the studding and joists are formed of metal I-beams or similar members and is not always satisfactory even in the application of wall-board to members having wooden framework. Furthermore, the presence of nails and clips on the face of the wall-board is objectionable, since sealing strips or a surface layer of plaster or other material must then be applied to conceal the heads of the nails or the ends of the clips securing the wall-board to the framework. The application of wall-board to metal 30 framework also presents serious problems due to the differences in expansion of the framework and wall-board. If the wall-board is xedly secured to the framework there is a tendency for it to buckle or to separate as the framework expands and contracts with changes in the temperature.

It has been proposed heretofore to employ certain types of clips for securing wall-board to framework, wherein the clips are driven into the edges of the wall-board and are then bent about the framework and secured thereto by nails or otherwise. However, such constructions tend to split or fracture the wallboard particularly if the framework is formed of metal and expands or contracts considerably. Moreover, operations are required for erection of the wall-board which consume considerable time and require care and skill to insure satisfactory results.

In accordance withv the present invention, these objections to constructions of the prior art are overcome and a novel type of wall or ceiling construction provided, wherein the means for securing the units, such as wall-board, in place are concealed and, at the same time, such means may be applied without the use of any nails. or

(Cl. 'X2- 118) other securing means such as have heretofore been necessary. Furthermore, my invention contemplates the use of securing means which permit sufficient relative movement of the framework and Wall-board to avoid injury due to differences in the expansion and contraction thereof while holding the wall-board firmly in place.

In the preferred form of my invention, hereinafter described, the wall-board, ceiling, or paneling units are so constructed as toprovide recesses in the edges thereof, while the exposed face of the units are in abutment throughout their length and are accurately aligned. The rear face is provided with an opening communicating with the recesses in the edges of the units through which the securing means extends into engagementv with the framework of the building. The securing means hereinafter described are readily positioned and retained in place without the use of bolts, nails, or other securing means and permit limited relative movement of the framework and units.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel type of wall or ceiling construction, which may be readily installed and which is held in position and in alignment throughout its length without danger of displacement.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel type of wall-board or like unit of construction which facilitates erectionV and finishing ofv rooms, partitions, and buildings.

A further object of the inventionV is to provide novel means for securing wall-board and ceiling board to the framework of a building which avoid danger of buckling or separation of the units due to differences in expansion or contraction of the units and the framework to which they are secured.

These and other objects and features of my invention will appear from the following description thereof, in which reference is made to the accompanying figures of thedrawing.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a horizontal, sectional view of a typical construction embodying my invention showing building units such as wall-boards, and retaining means, therefore, in one arrangement.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal, sectional View similar to Fig. 1 showing an alternative arrangement and construction embodying my invention.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a typical construction and arrangement of elements embodying the present invention as employed in ceiling or floor constructions.

In that form of my invention chosen for purpose of illustration, the building units, such as wall-board, paneling, and the like may be of any suitable construction but, as shown, are in the form of sheets of material 2 having an inner exposed face 4 which is of greater width than the outer face G which lies adjacent the framework or supporting members B of the building or structure.

The units 2 may be formed of any suitable material, such as cement and fiber, gypsum, plaster, plywood or other composition, such as those now marketed under a variety of trade names. The lateral edges of the units 2 are provided with recesses I0 which may be in the form of longitudinally extending grooves with adjacent projecting portions I2 and I4. The projecting portion I2 adjacent the exposed face 4 of the unit extends beyond the projecting portion I4 adjacent the rear of the unit, so that when the units are positioned with the edges I 6 of the projecting portions I2 in abutment the edges I8 of the projecting portions I4 are spaced apart providing access to the recesses I0 formed in the lateral edges of the units.

The units preferably are made of such width that the edges thereof may be positioned adjacent members B of the framework, and to this end the units may be of any desired width or any multiple of a standard width so that the abutting edges of the units will lie adjacent the studs or vertical members of the framework when erected.

In order to secure the wall-board or ceiling members in position, I provide novel clips or retaining members which engage and are secured to the members 8 of the framework without the use of any nails, rivets, or bolts. The form of clip used in any particular location will depend upon the type of the framework by which it is carried and the position of the clip with relation to the ends of the walls or partitions being erected. One form of clip adapted for use at an end of a wall is shown at 2D and is in the form of an S-shaped member having a head 22 which extends into the recess I0 in the lateral edge of a unit. The portion 24 of the clip to which the head is secured lies between the rear face of the wall-board and the portion 26 of an angle member or other member of the framework to space and position the unit 2. 'I'he end of the clip is turned upon itself at 26 to engage the portion 28 of the angle member to prevent displacement of the unit.

A second type of clip for use in supporting units located intermediate the ends of the wall is shown at 32 and comprises a member having a T-shaped portion 34, the lateral projecting parts of which extend into the recesses I0 in adjacent units of the siding or wall-board. The shank 3S of the head projects rearwardly through the opening between the edges I8 of the projections I4 on the edges of the wall-board and is connected to a spacing portion 38 by which the units are aligned and spaced from the framework. One end of the spacing portion is inturned at 4U for engagement with the base 42 of an I-beam of the framework 8 and preferably is sprung outward from the dotted line position of Fig. 3 in applying the clip so as to insure firm engagement of the clip to the supporting framework. It will be noted that the arm of the T-head 34 of the clip 32 which is located on the side of the shank opposite to the portion 48 is longer than the arm on the same side as said portion. This construction insures firm engagement of the edges of the wallboards when erected even though the recesses I0 into which the arms extend are irregularly formed or are of uneven depth. In forcing the clip to the left as seen in Fig. l the longer arm of the T-head engages the bottom of the recess and so that the edges IB of the portions I2 bear against each other, as the boards are erected and the clips forced into place. At the same time the shorter arm of the Thead is spaced from the bottom of the recess of the wall-board subsequently applied so that lateral pressure is received by the meeting edges of the wall-board in erecting the same but expansion and contraction of the framework does not exert any further force on the wall-boards or tend to cause them tobuckle or to be drawn apart as the framework responds to changes in temperature.

At the opposite end of the wall or partition being erected a clip 44 may be employed. This clip is of L-shaped cross-section and has a portion 455 which extends into the recess lil of the end unit 2 and is provided with an arm 48 engaging the rear face of a construction member 50 of the framework of the building. The member 43 extends through an opening 52 in the member 58 and, if desired, a struck-up portion 54 may be provided in the portion 46 of the clip to prevent removal or outward movement of the clip with respect to the member 5I), after it has once been inserted.

In some instances it may be desirable also to employ a U-shaped member 56 for spacing the wall-board 2 from the structural member 3l] extending parallel to the wall-board so as to insure proper alignment and spacing of the wall-board with respect to the framework of the building.

In using the constructions described for erecting a wall or partition the clip 28 is first slipped into place on the portion 28 of the angle member 30 at one end of the wall. The unit 2 is then slipped into place with the head 22 of the clip 2!) projecting into the groove IG. The wall-board is then forced to the left in order to seat the clip 20 firmly on the angle member and to seat the head in the recess I0.

The opposite edge of the unit 2 then lies adjacent an I-beam of the framework and a clip of the type shown at 32 is slipped into place with the portion 4U engaging the base of the I- beam, a part of the T-head 34 projecting into the adjacent edge of the unit 2 first erected and the portion 38 of the clip spacing the unit from the framework. Another unit similar to the first is then positioned with an edge thereof abutting the edge of the rst unit and with the opposite portion of the T-head projecting into the recess Ill of the unit being erected. In a similar way any member of additional units 2 may be erected with their edges in abutment and spaced from the framework so as to be accurately aligned and firmly secured in position by means of the clips 32.

At the opposite end of the wall to be erected the last unit is slipped into engagement with the clip 32, holding the preceding unit in place and is held against the U-shaped spacing member 56 on the portion 28 of the adjacent angle member 30. The clip 44 which is formed with spaced laterally projecting portions 46 is then placed with the portions 43 extending through correspondingly spaced openings 52 in the member 58 and projecting into the recess I3 in the adjacent edge of the unit. The clip is then forced to the left, as seen in Fig. l, until the fai-61,185

portion 48 abutsthe'me'niberfiand the-projection 54, ifused,l springs upon the other side of the member 50 `to prevent Yremoval of the clip.

The wall thus erected is held firmly in place with the edges of the units'irrabutment without exposingv the'securing`A means. `VThe lunits and the clips may 'be' positioned lquickly and easily without employing .special tools and without driving any nails or employing bolts, screws, or

rivets.

In erecting the'fwalls of'a room three sides may be erected asl described, ibut in order to facilitate the positioning of units on the fourth side, the constructionl'of Fig. 2 may be employed. In this case the units at the opposite ends of the wall are secured in place by means of the F-shaped clips., shown at 60.

Each of these clips has a. shank 62 formed with a tongue or struck-up portion 64 for engaging the rear of the base 42 of an I-beam.

The I-beam may be formed with a recess 66 in the edge thereof for receiving the clip, if desired. The projecting portion of the clip is provided with a head 68 which enters the recess I0 in the edge of the unit and is also formed with a spacing portion 10 for positioning the unit with respect tothe framework.

In erecting the rst of the end units, the clip 66 is positioned with respect to the unit and held in place while the shank 62 is pushed into the opening provided by the recess 66 until the struck-up portion springs in behind the base of the I-beam. The intermediate units or sections of the wall are then erected using the clips 32 until the opposite end of the wall is reached. A clip 66 is used in securing this end unit in place. One edge of the unit is placed adjacent the clip 32 holding the preceding unit in place and a clip 66 is placed with the head thereof in the recess I0 in the opposite edge thereof. The edge of the unit adjacent the end of the wall is then swung toward the framework so that the shank 62 of the clip enters the recess and the unit is forced inward until the tongue 64 engages behind the base of the I-beam securing the unit in place.

'Ihe construction described not only is easy and economical to erect but in the course of erection all of the units are forced laterally, so that their edges are in intimate contact, and a rigid tight wall is aligned so that the edges are scarcely noticeable, if they can be seen at all, and, therefore, the use of sealing strips to cover the edges of the units is not necessary.

When employing my invention in the erection of a ceiling or a floor, the elements may be employed as illustrated in Fig, 3. As shown, the ends 'I2 of the members 2 forming the walls adjacent the ceiling need not be recessed or the ceiling or floor members about the wall members. The first unit 2 placed in position for the ceiling may be secured in abutment with a wall member by means of a clip 20 of the type used in starting a side wall of a room. The clips 32 may be used in securing the intermediate units in place and the F-shaped clips 60 may be used for securing the last of the units in place. Ihat form of clip 6B shown in Fig. 3 has struck-up portions 64 on opposite sides thereof, but only one struck-up portion need be used in some cases.

In a similar way the various clips described or others of suitable form may be used in putting in ilooring or in erecting other types of walls, partitions, or portions of buildings to provide a tight, rigid, substantially seamless surface without lthe use-lof any' nails, bolts, -or screws. If desired,`sealing compounds, or materials, such -as asphal-t,"cement, or building felt may be located intherecessesfll) as shown at 'ld in Fig. 3 to seal any joints and-fmakelth'em weather proof.

The choice ofthe formv of clip used in any location will depend'largely upon the type of the 'framework employed and the form of the membersito which the units are `to -be secured. The clips may becastgstamped; drawn thru dies or Aotherwise formed and may bel madeA of any suitable material. The Vcli-ps may be of any size or length vof the wall-board or paneling. t will, therefore, be evident that my invention is capable of many changes in form and arrangement of elements used and that the shape and form of the clips employed may be varied in applying the invention to any particular use. For this reason it should be understood that the forms of my invention, herein shown and described, are intended to be illustrative of my invention and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

I claim:

1. A structure comprising a framework, a plurality of units having recessed lateral edges and retaining means for securing said units to said framework extending into said recesses and engaging said framework, said retaining means each having a portion extending into a recess in one of said units and having another portion loosely fitting said framework and held in engagement with said framework by said units.

2. In combination with the framework of a building, a plurality of building units each comprising a rigid sheet of material having recesses in opposite edges thereof, said units being positioned adjacent said framework with their recessed edges in abutment and retaining means formed with a T-head extending into the recesses in the edges of adjacent units having a portion projecting between said edges and removably engaging said framework to hold said units in position, the oppositely extending arms of said T-head being of unequal length Awhereby said arms normally engage the base of the recess in the edge of one unit and are spaced from the base of the recess in the edge of the other unit and said retaining means may move transversely of said edges with the framework on expansion and contraction of the framework.

3. A building unit comprising a rigid sheet of material having an edge formed with a recess between projecting portions adjacent opposite faces of the sheet, the projecting portion adjacent one face of said sheet extending beyond the projecting portion adjacent the opposite face of said sheet, whereby said sheet when placed with the larger projecting portion thereof in abutment with the larger projecting portion on an adjacent sheet presents an opposite face having an opening communicating with the recesses in the edges of both said sheets for receiving a retaining member, in combination with the framework of a building and a retaining member formed with a portion slidably tting a portion of said framework which extends parallel to said sheet and also formed with a T-shaped head spaced from said portion and extending into said recess to secure said unit to said framework, the oppositely extending arms of said T-head being of unequal length whereby said arms normally engage the base of the recess in the edge of one unit and are spaced from the base of the recess in the other unit and said retaining means may move transversely of said edges with the framework on expansion and contraction of the framework.

4. In a building construction having framework, building units formed with edges thereof extending parallel to members of said framework, said edges being provided with recesses located between projecting portions adjacent opposite faces of said units, the projecting portions of said units remote from said framework extending beyond the projecting portions adjacent said framework whereby when said units are in position with the edges thereof in abutment a passage is provided communicating with the recesses in said edges and extending toward said framework, and

attaching means for securing the building units to said framework, said means being formed with an open sided recess tting said member of said vframework so that said means may be applied to FREDERICK F. MILLS. 

